Tag Archives: country

I have something to admit. I can’t stop watching this terrible reality show called ‘Rodeo Girls’. For those of you that know me this shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. I’ve wanted to be a barrel racer in the rodeo since I was about 8 years old. But because I wasn’t born into the rodeo circuit and never had money for my own horse and had to navigate the cards I was dealt (suburban Minnesota), it just hasn’t happened for me.

So instead I’ve done things like spend a summer in Wyoming working on a dude ranch, horse lessons, volunteer work with horses, and annual promises to myself to save up for my own horse. I also very frequently fall into fashion obsessions with Western wear. Lucky for you and me, western wear has actually gotten really COOL. As a little girl, I really only understood it as shit I could find at like Drysdales. No this isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s not something I’m going to wear around the streets of Portland either.

Seriously though. Those brown pants. That SHIRT. That shirt got a lot of play back in the day, no doubt.

But back to real time, like I said, I was sitting on the couch ignoring the beautiful, sunny Portland day outside, watching Rodeo girls and I looked down and was like oh snap, this flannel I’m wearing sure is cute and appropriate. Flannels. Wardrobe staple. They make everyone look hot! Cholo/as need I say more? And a girl in an oversized flanned, don’t tell me that doesn’t turn you on.

Me today in a not oversized flannel, but it’s still cozy as hell and it automatically makes my un-makeupped, crazy hair, tired eyes situation seem less dire than it actually is. Scored this one from a clothing swap. Long live clothing swaps forever and ever.

Then I got to thinking about this sweatshirt I recently got from Idylwild. I was pretty drunk when I saw it and realized I had to have it, but you know, I’m sober now and not regretting it at all. Idylwild has tons of cute shit. Follow on IG and check out the website and stock up on staples that will get you through summer because seriously I’m thinking short shorts, cowgirl boots, and turquoise. All day every day come June.

Cute, right?

Here’s some more Idylwild pulled from Instagram:

Another good site and IG to check out is Bandit Brand clothing. Hotttttttt shit.

And for all your jewelry needs, I HIGHLY suggest you check out Honey Fox Jewelry because SWOON. I recently got a new job and one (at least) of her pieces is top of my list for first paychecks. And she’s local. If anyone wants to gift me with something of hers I won’t complain. Here’s her Etsy for all your shopping and gifting needs http://www.etsy.com/shop/honeyfoxjewelry

So yeah, I don’t know about you, but now that we’re past the winter solstice I’m already dreaming of summer and it’s going to include horses and western wear galore. Oh and I’m thinking a return trip to Wyoming. Road trip anyone?

Vintage shopping and cooking have always been sort of the same for me. In the way that I’m I’m not all that good at doing either even though I so desperately want to be and know I could be if only I could get past my impatience.

So imagine my surprise and delight over the last month or so when I’ve found myself shopping thrift and actually enjoying it! There have been some really awesome, recent Goodwill excursions. And let’s face it, Naked Lady Parities and Swaps are kind of like thrift shopping for beginners.

Another great experience I had recently came in the form of Portland Flea. This half indoor, half outdoor market invites a handful of Portland vendors to showcase their wares on the third Sunday of every month (pst, remaining dates are: 5/19, 6/16, 7/21, 8/18, 9/15, 10/20, 11/17 & 12/15) along a one block stretch of SE Portland that includes the beautiful Union/Pine.

I went with one of my most skilled thrifting friends, Jordan, you should all know her fairly well by now, and it didn’t take us long to scour the various racks. In fact, I loved how I never felt overwhelmed. The small, select number of stands allow for a less intimidating experience than a store full of stuff and the farmers market casualty of it really let me shop stress free.

The first thing I picked up were a pair of leather/suede tan cowboy boots from Scout & Parcel.

Look at my cat, Bandit. She loves them.

I’ve heard Portland Flea can be a little overpriced, and sure I could see that at times when I was there, but I bought these for $24 not knowing or caring what kind of deal that was. I could tell they were quality. They were a good neutral color. I could afford them. And I’ve always been a real fucking nerd for horses, which is also developing into a real love of a fashionable western aesthetic, so I knew these would become staples.

Plus they are old and worn-in and well-loved and it felt so good not consuming something new.

And I’ve already tested them … they are perfect for summer bbq’s and road trips.

Jordan tried on some stuff too. Right in the middle of the place. Because some people in dressing rooms are SLOW.

And while she did tried to zip up those adorable fucking shorts, I found my second purchase of the day: an $8 framed photograph of Mount St. Helens. I am obsessed with Mount St. Helen’s. I’ve always wanted an awesome Mount St. Helens picture. And honestly, I just trusted that some day I’d stumble upon the perfect one.

I picked up this little guy from Canned Ham Collectables. Is it weird that now I just want more? I am going to be such a freak with 20 Mount St. Helens pictures on my wall.

But before that happens, let me tell you about my third and final purchase of the day. I think some of you will recognize this one, but yeah, I had to have it!

That’s right. I even have pictures modeling this beauty! And now it’s mine. It was love at first fitting.

But yeah. That’s it! That’s what I bought! And I love all three of them equally! And they all feel so cohesive with my mood of late and my style leanings and the way I want my summer to feel. And it all started with chicken, waffles, and Budweiser so I’m sure that yeah, that had something to do with how dreamy it all was.

Ok! I’m leaving for CA this Thursday. Gotta drop my hot mama Jordan off for her epic cross-country road trip and also visit SF because it’s fucking ludicrous I’ve never been there, so if I don’t get another post in before that, I’ll be hitting you up from the road on Instagram (@cheapwineandpantylines)